THE ASHES

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10559, 15 February 1912, Page 5

THE ASHES

CABLE NEWS

(United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

ENGLISH PRESS OPINIONS A VARIETY~OF EXCUSES. (Received This Morning, 12.5 o'clock.) LONDON, February 14. The Times states that there is little room to dispute the English superiority. The Australian bowlers- were lacking in variety and class. The management of the game in- the Commonwealth was also distracted by a none too seemly controversy. The Morning Post says that Australian cricket is passing through one of the lean seasons which periodically overtake sport. The Express welcomes the absence , of barracking in the later matches. The Daily News says .that probably, the unfortunate dispute, which threatens to deprive the Australian team in England of its most brilliant members, upset tho team. Major Trevor, in tire Telegraph, attributes the defeat to M. A. Noble's •absence, and a lack of really first-class bowling; but says the Australian bowling will not be\so severely tried in the Triangular matches as in the unlimited timo games. The Sportsman says that for once the Colonials' proverbial pluck deserted them. The. friction, between the Board of Control and leading players is doing incalculable harm. Clem. Hill has the sympathy of the South Australian and Victorian -public, and if he received an equally cordia[ reception in Sydney, it should act -as"a warning to the Board that its policy is not acceptable to cricketing in Australia. Sporting. Life declares that England can look forward to the Triangular' Test matches with tranquility.

NEWSPAPER COMMENT. ; r : VISITORS' SUPERIORITY. (Received February 14, 9.15 a.m.) { SYDNEY, February 14. ] The Sydney Morning Herald, commenting on tiho result of the Fourth Test match, says:—' 'England defeated Australia not merely decisively, but overwhelmingly. There was not the smallest opening for excuse or palliation. Under equal conditions the visitors outplayed our representatives, and all that can he said of the Australians as that their play was inexplicable. Our best 'hope is that the present form is too bad to .be true and that the Triangular games will see the. Australian cricketers once more able to make a reasonable figblt for international supremacy." Tihe Sydney Daily Telegraph says:— "England's supremacy was earned. She flias shown remarkable supremacy in all departments of the game, per'haps the greatest contributing cause being the bowling of Foster and Barnes. Steady, scientific, patient ' batting characterised the play, and right throughout the influence of good captaincy was .manifest. Yoxifchful enthusiasm and co-operatio.ii has done the rest." THE "LEFT-HANDERS.',' j (Received February 14, 9.55 a.m.) ' \ •■ '■ ..».■- - ••. - ■ -■ "" ...... LONDON, February 13. The Evening Standard says it would be interesting to note McAlister'.s and Iredale's reasons for dispensing with; a left-hand bowler, as this certainly helped England to win. , THE SELECTION <X>MMITTEE. '?/"' OLEM. HILL REPLACED. "(Received 'February 14, 9.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, February 14. E. R. May-vie, of Soiitlh Australia, has.been' provdsionally appointed to act in Clem. Hill's place as one of tflie selectors of the teaan to tour England till is year. «